Dennis "Roc.am" Jones Reaches for Solid State Logic's THE BUS+A profile from Solid State Logic (SSL) sent on Friday revealed that, "On any given day, engineer, producer and artist Dennis 'Roc.am' Jones might be remastering a Frank Sinatra collection, mixing a Rihanna album in Dolby Atmos or producing music for a movie soundtrack or for release under his own name. Whatever the project, he says, Solid State Logic’s THE BUS+ two-channel compressor is always in the chain."

"Roc, born in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City and regularly working on both the east and west coasts, is perhaps best known for his immersive mix projects, reimaging and remastering material by legendary artists like James Brown and Frank Sinatra, global icons such as Mary J Blige and Mariah Carey, and rising stars including Ice Spice and H.E.R.," they continue. "He has also contributed to movie soundtracks such as Pitch Perfect and the original immersive soundtrack for Wicked and releases original material as an artist under his own name."

“Since I installed THE BUS+, I've used it on every single project, religiously,” Roc reports. His principal focus currently is on reimagining and remastering releases from the Universal Music Group. When he embarks on a new project, he says, he carefully considers what using THE BUS+ can bring to it. “The obvious thing is that I can do standard compression, but I usually take it beyond that. With THE BUS+, I can go extreme, or I can add just a little touch. Often, multiple little touches, which add up to a much bigger whole, are my usual process. All the things this box can do: Saturation, dynamic EQ, transient enhancement, and the various compression types, they all make a difference while giving me so much flexibility across different genres. Just one- or two-dB gain reduction, a little bit of dynamic EQ and some 4K flavour to tie it all together. It gives me the tools to create a nice, smooth translation from what I'm imagining to delivering the final remaster.”

"Specifically, he says, he will often work with the MID SIDE mode selected. The mode engages THE BUS+’s Mid-Side encode-decode circuitry, enabling the left side of the unit to process the mid signal — the mono sum of the left and right channels — and the right to process the side signal — that is, the stereo differences when the left and right signals are subtracted from one another," they said.

“I'm compressing my sides to widen the records a little bit, to give the record and the stereo portion of the sounds more movement,” Roc explains — depending on what is appropriate to that piece of music, of course. “Sometimes I'll work with the mid to give more of a solid low end or presence to the midrange frequencies.”

4K and F/B feedback modes"But his favourite workflow through THE BUS +, he continues, is using 4K Mode, which offers 9 different levels of saturation, in combination with the D-EQ dynamic EQ," they say.

“That's my general day-to-day use with this box,” he says. “And a lot of times, if the record is very powerful or aggressive, I love being able to tone it down with THE BUS+ in F/B Mode to slow things down, so we're not just hitting everything so hard.”

Getting creative with SSL SiX

“I was traveling a lot — about every two weeks — from New York to L.A., so I was that guy on the plane with all this stuff in front of him, working. The SiX was cool because I could use its analogue circuitry to get all of the warmth and separation that I want from an SSL console, in a small, portable desktop unit.”

“I discovered how versatile it was for music creation and production. There are all these inputs, so I would hook up my microphone to it, I would hook up my vintage synthesisers and my [Teenage Engineering] OP-1 [synth], and I would use SiX to bring together all my sounds in the analogue domain and create music. It's a cool tool and has an SSL console sound to it, you can tell that SSL have put their SuperAnalogueTM technology in it. It really is something unique. What's cool about SSL gear is that there’s an endless opportunity for creativity, and it's for us to discover more.”

"The SiX offers two mono recording channels featuring SuperAnalogue mic pres, two-band EQ and one-knob version of the classic SSL Channel Compressor, along with two stereo line-level channels, and the unique Listen Mic Compressor on the talkback," they say.

“I could hook up all these instruments, use the SiX as a mixer and just take a line out into my interface,” he says.

“My first board was the SSL Matrix, years and years ago, which still to this day is one of my favourite boards. I learned how to track and mix on it and do all sorts of things. I didn't go to school for any of this stuff; I learned everything by watching videos on YouTube.”

Summing up, he says, “I was into rap and hip-hop, and in the ‘90s SSL was a huge influence on hip-hop. I love Dre and Snoop, and they're using SSL boards. I love Jay Z, so I looked at what Jay Z's engineer, Young Guru, was doing. I remember the first time I was introduced to EQ and compression was on an SSL channel strip. I’ve always tried to incorporate as much as I can with the tools that I have. But if there's an opportunity for me to work with any new tool or something that I haven't worked with from SSL, I always go for it, because SSL has been part of my life.”The post Dennis "Roc.am" Jones Reaches for Solid State Logic's THE BUS+ first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Last Chance to Win Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Guitar PickThe iconic Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition at the Royal College of Music Museum in London is nearing its final days, and with it, your last opportunity to own a piece of rock history: one of Cobain’s original guitar picks used during Nirvana’s legendary MTV Unplugged performance.

This rare Dunlop 60mm plectrum was discovered in the case of Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar, which was purchased at auction in 2020 for a record-breaking $6.01 million USD by RØDE Founder Peter Freedman AM. The guitar currently serves as the centerpiece of the exhibition, and now the plectrum becomes the focus of a global prize draw, with entries open worldwide for just £5 per entry.

All proceeds will directly support the Royal College of Music’s Future Music Fund, an initiative empowering the next generation of musicians from diverse backgrounds to shape the future of music.

True to his promise, Mr. Freedman has ensured that Cobain’s guitar has not been locked away in a private collection but has instead become a symbol of inspiration and support for the global creative community. “When I purchased this guitar, my intention was to have it begin a worldwide tour of exhibitions to support performing artists,” he said. “I wanted it to be seen, to inspire, and to give back to the creative community that helped shape my life. Its inclusion in this exhibition has honoured that intention, and I’m delighted that it has been realised at the Royal College of Music, an institution incredibly close to my heart.”

The Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition, running until November 18, 2025, has drawn thousands of visitors to experience the story behind one of music’s most iconic performances. At its heart is Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar, alongside other legendary artifacts, including Cobain’s olive-green mohair cardigan from the MTV Unplugged performance. This exhibition marks the first time these items have been displayed together, offering fans a deeply personal glimpse into the artistry and legacy of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.

Entries for the plectrum prize draw are open now and will close on November 18, 2025, the final day of the exhibition. Unlimited entries are allowed, and every £5 entry directly supports the Royal College of Music’s Future Music Fund.

Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of rock history and support the future of music. Enter the prize draw now and help shape the next generation of musical talent.

For more information and to enter the prize draw, visit the Royal College of Music's official website.

Exhibition Dates:June 3rd – November 18th, 2025Royal College of Music Museum, Prince Consort Road, London

The post Last Chance to Win Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Guitar Pick first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Is StubHub doing all it can to police 10% Maine ticket resale cap?The new Maine concert ticket law is the toughest in America. Enforcing the landmark law will test its effectiveness. But leading ticket resale platform StubHub is not going out of their way to ensure compliance.
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More Artists join ROSTR + Bandsintown EARLY Showcase next weekROSTR and Bandsintown's new live music industry showcase EARLY debuts next week in Los Angeles. Two more artists have joined the four act bill. Read on to find out who's performing and a link to attend.
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From Drake losing his UMG lawsuit to HYBE’s new services division… it’s MBW’s weekly round-upThe biggest headlines from the past few days – all in one place
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LR Baggs Announces Exclusive Dan Tyminski Video SeriesOn Thursday, LR Baggs announced "the launch of an exclusive video series with 14-time GRAMMY® Award winner Dan Tyminski. The series highlights Tyminski’s transformative experience with the groundbreaking HiFi Duet pickup system, capturing his unmistakable sound with unparalleled clarity, balance, and depth. Best known for his iconic voice and masterful guitar work, Tyminski shares how the HiFi Duet has reshaped his live performances."

“I’m currently running the HiFi Duet in both guitars I’m playing out," Tyminski says. "In the past, I would never use a pickup because it never suited the way I needed to sound. I’d rather my guitar have been a little quieter and sound great than be loud, harsh, and bad. But audiences have grown, the demand has grown, and these new Duets have changed the way we’re able to do things now. I can play louder than ever and still feel the breadth of my instrument. It’s been a pretty amazing crossover for me—to go into a wired sound and still hear acoustics.”

"The series begins with an in-depth interview exploring the HiFi Duet’s capabilities and Tyminski’s journey with the system. The following episodes will showcase powerful performances of his favorites, featuring both his Gallagher and Johnny Gray guitars outfitted with the HiFi Duet and running through the Venue DI for a pure acoustic experience."

The post LR Baggs Announces Exclusive Dan Tyminski Video Series first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Drake lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ dismissed by US courtA US federal court has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, ruling that Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us constitutes protected opinion rather than actionable defamation. Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of New York granted UMG’s motion to dismiss all claims on Thursday (October 9), finding that accusations made about Drake … Continued
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Musicians, Get Ready For Spotify 2025 Wrapped: Here’s HowWith the release of Spotify 2025 Wrapped just weeks away, the countdown is on for every musician to be part of this rare global cultural moment. Fortunately, Spotify makes it easy with a guide to help musicians get ready for Spotify Wrapped.
The post Musicians, Get Ready For Spotify 2025 Wrapped: Here’s How appeared first on Hypebot.

Women’s Audio Mission Announces WAMCon 2025 (Discount Code!)Women’s Audio Mission is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women and gender-expansive individuals in music production and the recording arts.
The post Women’s Audio Mission Announces WAMCon 2025 (Discount Code!) appeared first on Hypebot.

The Waterboys Shimmer at The BellwetherMike Scott, main man with British/Irish folky rockers The Waterboys, may be one of the most underrated songwriters on the planet. Like a Scottish Marshall Crenshaw, he's had a couple of hits but he's kinda criminally known for them by the wider world, when in fact his entire body of work deserves serious attention. He should be studied, and perhaps one day he will be.

At the Bellwether, Scott and his band were incredible. Essentially, they performed a handful of crowd faves, then the recent Life, Death and Dennis Hopper album in its entirety, then more classics.

Scott has surrounded himself with wonderful musicians, with the one American in the band -- Memphis keys man Brother Paul Brown -- the wild performer in the ranks. His keytar, which Scott refers to as the "white thing," is both glorious and hilarious.

Within the first batch of songs, we got the gorgeous "Glastonbury Song," as well as the "woo-hoo-hoo" sing-along of "Fisherman Blues" (the band's best song, in our opinion).

The Life, Death and Dennis Hopper portion of the set started with a video of country icon Steve Earle singing the Scott/Earle co-written "Kansas." From there, the live rendition of the album took us on quite the journey, Scott the narrator. He clearly adores visionaries, of which Hopper is definitely one. Earle too.

"Hopper's On Top (Genius)" is a celebration of that, and by the time the album ended with the beautiful and dramatic "The Passing of Hopper," we felt like we knew the legendary actor a little better. Or at least, a little deeper.

For the final portion of the set, we were back to Scott's arsenal. "Don't Bang the Drum," "Spirit," and "The Pan Within" are all from 1985's classic The is the Sea album, and they were given new life here.

Naturally, The Waterboys pulled out "The Whole of the Moon" as an encore, before finishing with a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain" (there's Scott's love of visionaries again).

Underrated Scott may be. But not by the crowd that gathered at The Bellwether on a Friday night.

Edit this setlist | More The Waterboys setlists
The post The Waterboys Shimmer at The Bellwether first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Iconoclast partners with Vermillio to monitor use of Tony Bennett’s name, image, voice and likeness on gen-AI systemsThe collaboration will use Vermillio's TraceID technology to scan the internet and AI models for unlicensed uses of Bennett's likeness.
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In The Trenches with Bahar Tas of world music venue Drom NYCAn experienced marketer, Bhar Tas began working at the Drom NYC as a volunteer. For the last 18 months she's served as the Marketing Manager at this seminal New York world music venue.
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How I Lost a Paid Gig to a DJ Working for ‘Exposure’Manila-based DJ Khim Custodio questions the morality of club management behavior after his paid gig was abruptly canceled when someone cheaper came along.
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VINCE GILL SIGNS LIFETIME RECORD DEAL WITH MCAPhoto ID (L-R): MCA’s Mike Haris and Rob Femia, Larry Fitzgerald, Vince Gill, MCA’s Katie McCartney and Stephanie Wright (Photo credit: Chris Hollo)

He's going to be the main feature in our November issue, and news just dropped that MCA has announced that country music icon Vince Gill "has signed a lifetime record deal with the label, cementing decades of partnership and collaboration. As part of this unprecedented agreement, Vince will release an EP featuring new music every month for the next year, giving fans a consistent stream of original material from one of country music’s most celebrated voices."

"The series, titled 50 Years From Home, will showcase Vince’s artistry through a combination of new music and carefully selected catalog tracks that complement each EP’s theme," they said in a statement. "The first EP, 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had, is set for release on October 17 and will include the recently 2x Platinum-certified classic, Go Rest High on That Mountain."

“Vince has been a major part of the MCA family for decades,” said Mike Harris , President & CEO, MCA.  “This lifetime agreement reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting his artistic vision and providing him artistic freedom while ensuring his legacy continues to grow.”

“I’m feeling the most creative I’ve ever felt in my career these last few years,” shared Vince Gill. “I’ve collected a treasure trove of songs and with my friends and partners at MCA we’ve come up with a way to release all this new music. It’s a partnership that’s lasted 36 years and I’m grateful for it.” 

Vince’s longtime manager Larry Fitzgerald added, “MCA Records has been Vince’s home since early in his career, and now he knows their partnership will endure into the future. Vince’s fans wanting his music won’t have to look any further than MCA to find it.  My relationship with Vince began 41 years ago and I’m thrilled to stand with him at this important moment.”

"This lifetime deal is a testament to the long-standing partnership between Vince Gill and MCA," they said. "It reflects the enduring trust and commitment that has defined their relationship while positioning Vince as a timeless figure in country music, continuing to influence both the current landscape and future generations of artists and fans alike."

"During his time at MCA, Vince has amassed 1.7 Billion global streams and 19.4 Million in domestic album sales. He is up to 28.5 Million in total RIAA certified units with 24 Million in RIAA album certifications and 3.5 Million in RIAA single certifications. He has 2 Gold albums, 5 Platinum albums, 6 Multi-Platinum albums, 3 Gold singles and 1 Multi-Platinum single."

"Throughout his illustrious career, Vince has earned numerous accolades, including 18 CMA Awards, 22 Grammy Awards, and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1991 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. His songwriting contributions were recognized with induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2014, he was awarded the prestigious BMI Icon Award."The post VINCE GILL SIGNS LIFETIME RECORD DEAL WITH MCA first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Supreme Court snubs Live Nation as multiple cases move forwardThe U.S. Supreme Court has has refused to review whether Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s arbitration plan to deal with customer complaints is protected by federal law. The defeat comes as multiple important federal cases against the concert giant move forward.
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